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Only the Brave
Regulus Black is angry. He wants revenge. He wants to watch the world burn for all it's done to him. He also wants to make out with James Potter, but that's a secret he'll take to the grave. Vengeance is more important than... whatever it is that chokes him when he lays eyes on Potter.
James Potter is confused, because Regulus Black is, all of a sudden, hot. And it's unfair because Sirius is going to kill him if he doesn't get his impulse control in line.
OR
A fic about two idiots falling in love (x2 because there's wolfstar, too) during a war, and the sacrifices they'll have to make to survive it.
Words: 645,538; Online converter: 1435 pages
James Potter is confused, because Regulus Black is, all of a sudden, hot. And it's unfair because Sirius is going to kill him if he doesn't get his impulse control in line.
OR
A fic about two idiots falling in love (x2 because there's wolfstar, too) during a war, and the sacrifices they'll have to make to survive it.
Words: 645,538; Online converter: 1435 pages
1435 pages, ebook
First published April 25, 2023
348 people are currently reading
2167 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 406 reviews
May 18, 2023
my hobbies include adding fanfiction to my reading challenge hehe
November 21, 2023
“not all men” you’re right james potter would never
July 14, 2023
this was so good omg it is my new canon idc.
it had everything. INCLUDING A HAPPY ENDING?
insane.
it had everything. INCLUDING A HAPPY ENDING?
insane.
August 16, 2023
regulus being an unhinged, vicious little shit is my favorite thing ever
June 25, 2023
OH MY OH MY OH MY OH MY OH MY OH MY OH MY OH
———————————————————————————-
THIS IS CANON. This is what happened. I simply do not care. Argue with the wall because this is what actually happened and anything else is a lie.
The character building. The war and how it was described. The relationships—everything was perfect. The writing was spectacular and well thought out.
The angst and the tension during the war chapters had me wanting to read at 10x the speed I was already reading. At one point my heart was beating so fast I though I might just collapse over and die. It was brutal and devastating and so well written. Perfect.
————————————————————————-
THE BLACK BROTHERS ANGST HAD ME DYING. Oh my god. Their story is truly one that is tragic. Every corner and tilt of their demise makes me want to die. It was realistic and heartbreaking. Two brothers torn apart at every waking chance. Two brothers who wanted nothing more than peace and love. Two brother who had to sacrifice and survive so much. Two brothers who managed to find their way back to each other. Sick to my stomach. Perfect.
————————————————————————-
DORCAS AND REGULUS. Please. I have never read a fanfic that had such a focus on the friendship between these two. I never knew I needed it so badly. But I did. It was extravagant. Their communication and understanding of each other is just awing. The way they trust each other endlessly and never doubt it is beautiful. I think this friendship is often times over looked and I have no idea why. Dorcas was for a long time the only one unafraid to love Regulus and all his darkness. It’s poetic the way they loved each other really. So touching. Perfect.
—————————————————————————
LETS TALK ABOUT THE MOONWATER. It subtle but so so so heartwarming. I’m a sucker for platonic MoonWater. I think it’s such a smart friendship that’s makes so much sense. They are so similar in so many ways. I love that through Remus, Regulus learned what it was like to have someone in his corner. I love that he wasn’t completely alone. I love the kinship that began between these too. The secret fondness and respect they shared was so ugh. Perfect.
—————————————————————————
OFCOURSE WE HAVE TO DISCUSS BARTY AND REGULUS. I absolutely died for the skittle scenes this book fed me. Especially the scenes between these two. It’s a friendship that is not well understood. At first glance people wouldn’t understand the love. But it’s there. It’s there and it’s dark, and fun, and understanding, and dangerous. The depths of hell regulus would go through for barty is unimaginable and straight frightening. But it’s wonderful and it’s them. Barty and Regulus. The two scariest motherfuckers you’ll ever see together. It’s wild but the love is so much stronger than their given credit for. Anything. That’s what they would do for eachother. everything.
—————————————————————————
THE BACKROUND ROSEKILLER. I love this ship. It reminds a person that love is not just sweet and caring but menacing and threatening and MAD. that’s what these two are for each other. Completely mad. I’m so proud of them for surviving the homes in which they were brought up and standing up to their parents. They had each other and that’s how they made it.
—————————————————————————
THE SIDE WOLFSTAR. They were perfect as usual. The angst the build up. Perfect. Their so undeniably crazy about eachother it makes a person want to swoon over them. It’s obvious they would go to any ends necessary to make each other happy. They’d give up anything. Do anything. Such a powerful strong love that nothing could break. Monsters or not they will never turn their backs on each other.
—————————————————————————
LAST BUT NOT LEAST, JAMES + REGULUS EVERYBODY. The epitome of sunshine and darkness. Soft borders and sharp edges. Lalala and okokokokok. Quiet and loud. Bright and dark. They appear in almost every way direct opposites. But they flow together in such a way that no one, but them would be able to understand. Their love is reckless, borderline insane, impractical, seemingly impossible, and yet so so so brave. They together have been through it all. Hell and back and back again. But everything they did they always had a reason. Love. Everything. All of it. It was all for love. Regulus would easily watch the world burn if it meant saving James. James, poor James, absolutely wrecked by Regulus, would forgive him always. He couldn’t help but love regulus. Whether they were lovers, warriors, friends, or enemies, James always love regulus. It frightened him but it was a force so strong he couldn’t hold it back. Even when everything fell apart. James always knew Regulus. And Regulus, realized the moment they met, he would do anything, by any means necessary to protect this boy who brought him the sun. There’s something so fragile yet dangerous about these two. The most powerful love of them all. Powerful enough to end a war, and powerful enough to learn how to recover.
——————————————————————————-
Regulus Arcturus Black. Lord Black. Master of his body. Slayer of the Basilisk. A dragon. He is such a complex character. The most brave boy to have ever lived. For them. For his family. For his friends. For James. For love. Regulus would risk it all. He may not think himself capable of love but that’s because he feels so much of it that the weight becomes numb to him. He feels it all the time. He rejects the idea and puts on a cold demeanor, even hides from himself. But the truth is? Regulus feels so much love that it drives his every movement. He breathes, walks, runs, survives, and endures for love. He says his drive was revenge, but this was only a weak cover. Everything. He did it all for love. He buried and destroyed himself. He poisoned and drowned himself. He hid and endured. He bore the pain so they didn’t have too. He took the responsibility. He was just a boy who had never truly lived at all, yet to protect the ones he loved he took the burden with ease. If that’s what it takes to save everyone he cares about he’d do it over and over again. With no regrets and no second thoughts. He’d go to the end of the world, beyond any planet, though any battlefield, fight in any war for his friends. So again I say Regulus Arcturus Black is Lord Black, Master of his body, Slayer of the Basilisk, and a dragon. But more importantly, Regulus Arcturus Black is the boy who sacrificed everything. A boy who’s bravery knew no limit. A boy fueled by love.
——————————QUOTES———————————
Regulus Black being a baddie:
“Don’t forget I grew up in the same house you did. Whatever they’ve taught you, I learnt first.”
This actually hurt my heart.
“He’s cool, collected. He’s Regulus Fucking Black, master of his emotions, chairman of his body.”
“because there's a war coming and he's going to be in the battlefield. Front line. Raising hell.”
“The cage of bones. Cold and pain and blood. Fury and hurt and vengeance. It’s all he is. It’s all he can be. It's all his friends see of him.”
“It can only be me.”
“He’s always had a choice. And now he doesn’t anymore.”
“In wanting to become the villain, he’s made himself an anti-hero.”
“Regulus vows that he won’t give up. He’ll do whatever it takes. For James. For Dorcas. For Sirius.”
“Absorbed through his fingertips with every letter Regulus sent him, without fail.”
“I’m not like them. I’m so much worse.”
“He made a promise once. He’d get vengeance. Go to any lengths necessary. No line is too holy. No limit too hard. He’s crossing them all to get what he wants.”
“That’s because you’re trying to figure out whose side I’m on, and I’m on no one’s side but my own,”
“Regulus Black doesn’t strike me as someone who’s ever made a mistake in his life. He’s almost more terrifying than Voldemort himself.”
“Eighteen years old. He feels fucking ancient.”
—————————————————————————
Skittles:
“They’re a lot of things, many of which most people would call unsavoury, but the boys look after their girls at all times.”
“Through it all, they’re still friends. Barty, Regulus and Evan.”
“I’ll be your spy, Reg.”
“Because we’re your friends,” Crouch replies. “And half the time it feels as though you don’t trust us.
Dorcas Meadowes, Regulus understands in that moment, is the best friend one could ever wish for. And she has chosen Regulus.
“You know, if you keep pushing everyone away you will end up alone, Regulus.”
“To take down our enemies and drown them in their own blood, obviously,” Barty says primly. “And to help us with the shit no one else can help with.”
“Barty is mine,” Regulus says.
“I love you, Dorcas.”
—————————————————————————
Jegulus:
“He looks like a god, young, and beautiful, and otherworldly. Untouchable.”
“Regulus. Trust me. I’ve got you,” James insists. "Touch the sky." To his delight, Regulus does.
“James stays. He stays long after his clothes are soaking wet and stuck to his skin. He stays even though he starts to shiver. He stays, because Regulus Black apparently speaks French.”
“James draws his wand and turns, pointing at a dummy at random. “Are we blowing them up or what?”
“James sounds like he’s worshipping and it’s Regulus on his altar.”
“there isn’t one fibre of my being that isn’t absolutely and ridiculously obsessed with you,”
“It’s dangerous and sharp and thrilling, like he’s walking a tightrope. And the best part is that James wants to fall.”
“James has found religion. It’s all right here.”
“The creed? Regulus Black himself. A god crafted from the night sky and made for James to sin.”
“That’s why you are the hero,” Regulus says. “And I’m the villain.”
“I would absolutely, one hundred percent without hesitation kill everyone in this castle if it meant you’d be safe and with me,” Regulus says viciously. “But you? You would sacrifice me if it meant saving the world.”
“Don’t try to save me, James,” Regulus warns
“And now Regulus’ heart beats for him. Only for him. James. James. James.”
“James loved him. And it wasn’t enough.”
“It’s the little cottage. “It was supposed to be ours.”
“James is pretty sure Regulus was it for him.”
“What—” James staggers back, breaking the kiss, looking down. Blood pools over his shirt. “What the—”
“If Regulus ruined him so thoroughly that he’ll never love another person.”
“There’s blood on your hands,” James mutters, swallowing hard. Regulus shrugs, raises an eyebrow. “I’m the bad guy. What did you expect?”
—————————————————————————
Marauders:
“James doesn’t know who he is without Sirius, and Sirius isn’t without James. They’re brothers. Best friends. Soulmates.”
“And James does. He stays. He will never leave Sirius. There is no place he can go that James won’t follow.”
—————————————————————————
Black Brothers:
“He doesn’t trust anyone, possibly because his older brother left him in a house that they never called a home.”
“I’ll keep you safe. Don’t be afraid, Reggie. We’re escaping this hell. Together. You and me. I’ll keep you safe.” And the look of heartbreak and betrayal when Regulus said no again.”
“here they are, two brothers who love each other despite the wounds and the blood, beyond the betrayal and the pain.”
"We're brothers James," Sirius says desperately. "We should have never been torn apart in the first place."
“I’ll go with you anywhere,” Sirius says firmly. “Anywhere. Anytime. To the end of the world, Prongs.”
“Because on those rocks with him—wand in one hand sprouting fire and the sword of Godric Gryffindor in the other—standing over the inferi like a fucking avenging angel, is his brother.”
—————————————————————————
———————————————————————————-
THIS IS CANON. This is what happened. I simply do not care. Argue with the wall because this is what actually happened and anything else is a lie.
The character building. The war and how it was described. The relationships—everything was perfect. The writing was spectacular and well thought out.
The angst and the tension during the war chapters had me wanting to read at 10x the speed I was already reading. At one point my heart was beating so fast I though I might just collapse over and die. It was brutal and devastating and so well written. Perfect.
————————————————————————-
THE BLACK BROTHERS ANGST HAD ME DYING. Oh my god. Their story is truly one that is tragic. Every corner and tilt of their demise makes me want to die. It was realistic and heartbreaking. Two brothers torn apart at every waking chance. Two brothers who wanted nothing more than peace and love. Two brother who had to sacrifice and survive so much. Two brothers who managed to find their way back to each other. Sick to my stomach. Perfect.
————————————————————————-
DORCAS AND REGULUS. Please. I have never read a fanfic that had such a focus on the friendship between these two. I never knew I needed it so badly. But I did. It was extravagant. Their communication and understanding of each other is just awing. The way they trust each other endlessly and never doubt it is beautiful. I think this friendship is often times over looked and I have no idea why. Dorcas was for a long time the only one unafraid to love Regulus and all his darkness. It’s poetic the way they loved each other really. So touching. Perfect.
—————————————————————————
LETS TALK ABOUT THE MOONWATER. It subtle but so so so heartwarming. I’m a sucker for platonic MoonWater. I think it’s such a smart friendship that’s makes so much sense. They are so similar in so many ways. I love that through Remus, Regulus learned what it was like to have someone in his corner. I love that he wasn’t completely alone. I love the kinship that began between these too. The secret fondness and respect they shared was so ugh. Perfect.
—————————————————————————
OFCOURSE WE HAVE TO DISCUSS BARTY AND REGULUS. I absolutely died for the skittle scenes this book fed me. Especially the scenes between these two. It’s a friendship that is not well understood. At first glance people wouldn’t understand the love. But it’s there. It’s there and it’s dark, and fun, and understanding, and dangerous. The depths of hell regulus would go through for barty is unimaginable and straight frightening. But it’s wonderful and it’s them. Barty and Regulus. The two scariest motherfuckers you’ll ever see together. It’s wild but the love is so much stronger than their given credit for. Anything. That’s what they would do for eachother. everything.
—————————————————————————
THE BACKROUND ROSEKILLER. I love this ship. It reminds a person that love is not just sweet and caring but menacing and threatening and MAD. that’s what these two are for each other. Completely mad. I’m so proud of them for surviving the homes in which they were brought up and standing up to their parents. They had each other and that’s how they made it.
—————————————————————————
THE SIDE WOLFSTAR. They were perfect as usual. The angst the build up. Perfect. Their so undeniably crazy about eachother it makes a person want to swoon over them. It’s obvious they would go to any ends necessary to make each other happy. They’d give up anything. Do anything. Such a powerful strong love that nothing could break. Monsters or not they will never turn their backs on each other.
—————————————————————————
LAST BUT NOT LEAST, JAMES + REGULUS EVERYBODY. The epitome of sunshine and darkness. Soft borders and sharp edges. Lalala and okokokokok. Quiet and loud. Bright and dark. They appear in almost every way direct opposites. But they flow together in such a way that no one, but them would be able to understand. Their love is reckless, borderline insane, impractical, seemingly impossible, and yet so so so brave. They together have been through it all. Hell and back and back again. But everything they did they always had a reason. Love. Everything. All of it. It was all for love. Regulus would easily watch the world burn if it meant saving James. James, poor James, absolutely wrecked by Regulus, would forgive him always. He couldn’t help but love regulus. Whether they were lovers, warriors, friends, or enemies, James always love regulus. It frightened him but it was a force so strong he couldn’t hold it back. Even when everything fell apart. James always knew Regulus. And Regulus, realized the moment they met, he would do anything, by any means necessary to protect this boy who brought him the sun. There’s something so fragile yet dangerous about these two. The most powerful love of them all. Powerful enough to end a war, and powerful enough to learn how to recover.
——————————————————————————-
Regulus Arcturus Black. Lord Black. Master of his body. Slayer of the Basilisk. A dragon. He is such a complex character. The most brave boy to have ever lived. For them. For his family. For his friends. For James. For love. Regulus would risk it all. He may not think himself capable of love but that’s because he feels so much of it that the weight becomes numb to him. He feels it all the time. He rejects the idea and puts on a cold demeanor, even hides from himself. But the truth is? Regulus feels so much love that it drives his every movement. He breathes, walks, runs, survives, and endures for love. He says his drive was revenge, but this was only a weak cover. Everything. He did it all for love. He buried and destroyed himself. He poisoned and drowned himself. He hid and endured. He bore the pain so they didn’t have too. He took the responsibility. He was just a boy who had never truly lived at all, yet to protect the ones he loved he took the burden with ease. If that’s what it takes to save everyone he cares about he’d do it over and over again. With no regrets and no second thoughts. He’d go to the end of the world, beyond any planet, though any battlefield, fight in any war for his friends. So again I say Regulus Arcturus Black is Lord Black, Master of his body, Slayer of the Basilisk, and a dragon. But more importantly, Regulus Arcturus Black is the boy who sacrificed everything. A boy who’s bravery knew no limit. A boy fueled by love.
——————————QUOTES———————————
Regulus Black being a baddie:
“Don’t forget I grew up in the same house you did. Whatever they’ve taught you, I learnt first.”
This actually hurt my heart.
“He’s cool, collected. He’s Regulus Fucking Black, master of his emotions, chairman of his body.”
“because there's a war coming and he's going to be in the battlefield. Front line. Raising hell.”
“The cage of bones. Cold and pain and blood. Fury and hurt and vengeance. It’s all he is. It’s all he can be. It's all his friends see of him.”
“It can only be me.”
“He’s always had a choice. And now he doesn’t anymore.”
“In wanting to become the villain, he’s made himself an anti-hero.”
“Regulus vows that he won’t give up. He’ll do whatever it takes. For James. For Dorcas. For Sirius.”
“Absorbed through his fingertips with every letter Regulus sent him, without fail.”
“I’m not like them. I’m so much worse.”
“He made a promise once. He’d get vengeance. Go to any lengths necessary. No line is too holy. No limit too hard. He’s crossing them all to get what he wants.”
“That’s because you’re trying to figure out whose side I’m on, and I’m on no one’s side but my own,”
“Regulus Black doesn’t strike me as someone who’s ever made a mistake in his life. He’s almost more terrifying than Voldemort himself.”
“Eighteen years old. He feels fucking ancient.”
—————————————————————————
Skittles:
“They’re a lot of things, many of which most people would call unsavoury, but the boys look after their girls at all times.”
“Through it all, they’re still friends. Barty, Regulus and Evan.”
“I’ll be your spy, Reg.”
“Because we’re your friends,” Crouch replies. “And half the time it feels as though you don’t trust us.
Dorcas Meadowes, Regulus understands in that moment, is the best friend one could ever wish for. And she has chosen Regulus.
“You know, if you keep pushing everyone away you will end up alone, Regulus.”
“To take down our enemies and drown them in their own blood, obviously,” Barty says primly. “And to help us with the shit no one else can help with.”
“Barty is mine,” Regulus says.
“I love you, Dorcas.”
—————————————————————————
Jegulus:
“He looks like a god, young, and beautiful, and otherworldly. Untouchable.”
“Regulus. Trust me. I’ve got you,” James insists. "Touch the sky." To his delight, Regulus does.
“James stays. He stays long after his clothes are soaking wet and stuck to his skin. He stays even though he starts to shiver. He stays, because Regulus Black apparently speaks French.”
“James draws his wand and turns, pointing at a dummy at random. “Are we blowing them up or what?”
“James sounds like he’s worshipping and it’s Regulus on his altar.”
“there isn’t one fibre of my being that isn’t absolutely and ridiculously obsessed with you,”
“It’s dangerous and sharp and thrilling, like he’s walking a tightrope. And the best part is that James wants to fall.”
“James has found religion. It’s all right here.”
“The creed? Regulus Black himself. A god crafted from the night sky and made for James to sin.”
“That’s why you are the hero,” Regulus says. “And I’m the villain.”
“I would absolutely, one hundred percent without hesitation kill everyone in this castle if it meant you’d be safe and with me,” Regulus says viciously. “But you? You would sacrifice me if it meant saving the world.”
“Don’t try to save me, James,” Regulus warns
“And now Regulus’ heart beats for him. Only for him. James. James. James.”
“James loved him. And it wasn’t enough.”
“It’s the little cottage. “It was supposed to be ours.”
“James is pretty sure Regulus was it for him.”
“What—” James staggers back, breaking the kiss, looking down. Blood pools over his shirt. “What the—”
“If Regulus ruined him so thoroughly that he’ll never love another person.”
“There’s blood on your hands,” James mutters, swallowing hard. Regulus shrugs, raises an eyebrow. “I’m the bad guy. What did you expect?”
—————————————————————————
Marauders:
“James doesn’t know who he is without Sirius, and Sirius isn’t without James. They’re brothers. Best friends. Soulmates.”
“And James does. He stays. He will never leave Sirius. There is no place he can go that James won’t follow.”
—————————————————————————
Black Brothers:
“He doesn’t trust anyone, possibly because his older brother left him in a house that they never called a home.”
“I’ll keep you safe. Don’t be afraid, Reggie. We’re escaping this hell. Together. You and me. I’ll keep you safe.” And the look of heartbreak and betrayal when Regulus said no again.”
“here they are, two brothers who love each other despite the wounds and the blood, beyond the betrayal and the pain.”
"We're brothers James," Sirius says desperately. "We should have never been torn apart in the first place."
“I’ll go with you anywhere,” Sirius says firmly. “Anywhere. Anytime. To the end of the world, Prongs.”
“Because on those rocks with him—wand in one hand sprouting fire and the sword of Godric Gryffindor in the other—standing over the inferi like a fucking avenging angel, is his brother.”
—————————————————————————
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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June 28, 2023Yes I will add fanfictions to my reading challenges idc what others think
Also btw it took 48 hours of emotional damage for me to read it
Also btw it took 48 hours of emotional damage for me to read it
June 17, 2025
SCREAMING CRYING THROWING UP THIS WAS THE BEST EXPERIENCE EVER
August 27, 2024
Someone please obliviate me , so I can read this fanfic for the first time ever again 🫠
RIP Regulus Arcturus Black, you would have loved Reputation by TS 🤭
⚠️SPOILER REVIEW ⚠️
⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️
I wish I could properly express my feelings for this fic, but I love it so much that words fail me. The quote, "If I loved you less, I might talk about it," fits perfectly here—I’m genuinely speechless. This is a masterpiece, and no one can argue otherwise.
Someone once said that this fic is the "All the Young Dudes" of Jegulus, and I can only agree.
I don’t care that this isn’t canon-compliant. For me, it’s absolutely, okay!
This might be my favorite Regulus characterization ever. He was such a mastermind—the way he had a list of people he wanted to hurt or kill, almost all of whom were there because they hurt Sirius in the first place—I am crying. He had his entire "Look What You Made Me Do" moment. Reputation was written for him! He cared so much about Sirius but didn’t reveal it. At first, I thought the brotherly bond wouldn’t be a significant focus in this story. How wrong I was. The angst and love between the Black brothers were done immaculately. It takes time, but everything pays off. Just two words: the Inferi scene... Sirius with the Gryffindor sword 😭.
Regulus's horcrux hunt was better than the canon horcrux hunt by the Golden Trio. I said what I said.
His entire revenge plan was so well thought out. Every little piece fell perfectly into place. Watching the master plan unravel was incredibly satisfying. I just love Regulus with my whole heart. Believe me, a year ago, I never imagined he would become a comfort character for me.
The Moonwater moments in this story were everything I needed. I just love Remus and Regulus enjoying their silence together and their shared sarcasm. They mean so much to me, and no one can understand. The whole espionage plotline was so clever.
The Prongsfoot moments were so perfect, even the small bits we got. I have this scene memorized where James walks into a room, expecting bad news because it’s wartime, and the first person he looks for is Sirius. Always Sirius! How they supported each other throughout the war, especially when separated from their loves, was beautiful.
Now, the best unexpected friendship—Dorcas and Regulus. I never imagined their bond would be so strong before reading this fic. The ultimate friendship was Pandora and Regulus for me, and while I adore them, Dorcas and Regulus are now platonic soulmates in my book. The Unbreakable Vow plotline—and their wedding rings! Gosh, I love them so much. "Love me more than the darkness, Reg"—excuse me, who’s cutting onions?
This fic had the best plot ever. Everything was so well thought out. I loved how Regulus claimed the Black legacy. It’s often unsaid, but these noble pureblood families are essentially more powerful than Tom Riddle/Voldemort because of their assets and powerful heirlooms. Regulus as the Black Lord—I’m on my knees. The war chapters were incredible. Of course, there was a lot of angst, but I could keep reading even when the characters were going through tough times because the plot was so addictive.
Pandora and Lily—my loves. My only complaint with this fic is that this ship didn’t get as much screen time as I would have liked. I would have loved to see more of them. They are so precious to me. Their connection deserved to be explored as much as the other side ships, like Dorlene and Wolfstar.
And Wolfstar... I’m sorry, but I need to talk about them. I love them. They own my heart. Everything about them in this fic was perfect. How they worried about the other seeing their bad parts and not believing they could be loved? And the self-sabotaging before they finally got together? The angst, the slow burn—perfect! Also not Sirius‘ Amortentia smelling like grass and chocolate??
Now, onto Jegulus—ugh. I know many people think Jegulus is nonsense because it doesn’t make sense, and everyone is entitled to their opinion. If you’re a Jily stan, I love you—you are valid. But Jegulus makes sense to me, even in canon. Yes, James has his morals and integrity, but he is foremost a loyalist to the people he loves. Those people don’t have to be good, especially in his teenage years when he falls in love with a boy who is different from everyone else. So why is it unbelievable that he fell in love with Regulus and avoided thinking about him becoming a Death Eater? And when he couldn’t avoid it anymore, he still wanted to be with him because he is loyal, and loyalty can be toxic and harmful, like it was in this case. The scene where James instantly forgives him when he sees the Death Eater mark broke my heart.
And the war chapters... the tension! The dagger scene, the wood scene—you know, you know... 😫. I would die for this ship.
I can’t fully articulate my love for this work of art, so I’ll just list some honorable mentions instead:
Baby Harry—ugh, he is so loved, as he deserves to be. Lily and James being the perfect parents, Pandora and Regulus being the great counterparts, and just loving Harry so much. Sirius being the best godfather with all his dramatics when Harry doesn’t give him as much attention—I love him too much.
Baby Luna—didn’t get much screen time, unfortunately, but Luna and Harry being raised as siblings healed my heart. You don’t understand.
The writing ✍️ 10/10.
The plot ♾️/10.
The romances ♾️/10.
The friend group—the scene of them playing "Would You Rather" was so precious to me, and their parties before the war.
Rosekiller❤️
Wolfstar—yes, this needs to be mentioned again.
The Room of Requirement.
Regulus’s murders—why were they so satisfying?
Elsbeth—she was so funny and a total girlboss. She took advantage of Reg’s wealth, as she should, and got to live with the love of her life in Greece. She was the mastermind after Reg.
Regulus outsmarting Tom Riddle every time.
Regulus and Kreacher—so cute 🥹.
Peter finally getting served justice.
The angst and the healing.
quotes I love!!!! :
The door to the carriage opens and Sirius’ fingers twitch when Remus steps in. James tries to hide the small smile tugging at his lips.
“How was patrol?“ James asks, because Sirius needs a moment to compose himself when Remus enters a room he’s in these days.
Regulus does turn, then. James is glad, because he cannot—and will not—touch but as long as Regulus continues to allow it, James will continue to look because this boy is an absolute gift from the deities.
James’ brain is broken. Like he can’t process all the ways Regulus is beautiful at once, because there are too many.
James cannot, in good conscience, risk Sirius’ hair catching on fire. His friend will survive literal torture—this is fact, it has happened—but not the loss of his hair. Besides, selfishly James knows it’ll hurt him more to watch Sirius get burnt than to burn himself.
His glasses are on the bedside table, so Regulus sees for the first time ever just how big and devastating they are. Brown and golden like the colours that make autumn the warmest, cosiest season.
The glow of the flames is catching on Regulus’ curls. He looks like a god, young, and beautiful, and otherworldly.
Untouchable.
Remus smiles, lifts his arm. Sirius ducks under it immediately. It’s one of his favourite places in the world. Next to Remus. Touching Remus. Remus smells so nice, like chocolate, and the outdoors. Sirius could bottle Remus’ scent and carry it in his pocket. It makes him feel calm. Helps him slow down.
Sirius never thought he’d ever find anyone who could make him want to slow down.
[…] [Remus] got into an absurd fight with Sirius over jumpers again. A fight that was left unresolved because Remus folded the moment Sirius whipped out a bar a chocolate and waved it at him. They then proceeded to curl up on the recently resurrected bed with a book each and read for hours, Sirius’ head resting on Remus’ lap.
Remus who orbits Sirius like a planet does its star.
[it] makes Remus look at Sirius with a fondness James wants to bottle and keep on his nightstand so he can give it to Sirius when he has nightmares.
Sirius is the only person in the world whose silences don’t make James nervous.
“You saved Sirius,” Lupin says. He shrugs. “There’s no price I wouldn’t pay.”
He’s in no hurry, and he’s happy to let her lead the conversation because all James wants to talk about is Regulus, and he can’t, so it’s safest he’s not allowed to lead.
Sirius sits up, throws his head back and laughs. It’s loud, and one of James’ favourite sounds in the world.
James has found religion. It’s all right here. The hymns are Regulus’ soft noises, the ones he tries to hide but can’t and James is committing to memory. The text is the code of the goosebumps over Regulus’ skin when James’ runs his hands over it. The creed? Regulus Black himself. A god crafted from the night sky and made for James to sin. Starlight and darkness made person just for James.
Something happens to him when he’s in the presence of James. Like the walls he’s built to protect himself from the world are no match for the hazel eyes of a boy that doesn’t hesitate to bare his very soul for Regulus to see.
Regulus doesn’t tell him he climbed to the roof alone despite the weather and talked to the star that’s his brother for hours, and James doesn’t tell him that Sirius went to bed so inebriated he asked James why Regulus didn’t love him before he passed out.
Sirius whispers, “Yeah. Okay. I get it.”
“You get what?” James asks, just to be sure.
And Sirius, fucking Sirius Black, looks at his best friend in the whole world and says, “that love is only for the brave.”
James will take anything, any pain, any injury to his own body. But the sight of Sirius bleeding? That always gets to him. It always breaks him.
I loved you enough to take your place.
You were always the one who walked behind me and picked me up when I fell. The shield and the sword. You fought our battles so I didn’t have to. You loved me and it almost killed you.
So, this time, brother, it’ll be the other way around. I’ll keep the secret. Keep the pain. The bones and the blood and the cold. And I’ll get revenge, on you, for you. For us. For the brothers we could have been. For the brothers we’ll never be. You don’t know it, but I love you.
I love you, brother, and that’s what’s going to kill me.
When he dies, James thinks he'll carry on loving Regulus on the other side, wherever that is or whatever it looks like.
Loving Sirius became part of who Remus was. Of who he is. Remus loving Sirius was—is—a truth as simple and unwavering as Remus being tall, or Remus being a werewolf. Some things are just part of who you are, and Remus loves Sirius in a way so raw and overpowering that it’s blended with the lines of his identity.
Regulus loves James with an intensity that could break worlds or remake them.
Sirius’ eyes on him have the ability to make him forget all the reasons he ever hated himself.
The idea that Sirius could ever think that anything he does isn’t sending Remus to outer fucking space is insane. All Sirius needs to do is exist and Remus is already on his knees.
Regulus knew he was bad for James. That he’d ruin him. But he never truly understood just how much until he said that. Until James Potter, hero-extraordinaire, looked a Death Eater in the eye and forgave him without hesitation.
At the end of the day, Regulus always loved Sirius more than he ever loved himself.
Their tears mix and wet the pillow. Neither of them care. They can’t. Their hearts have always done everything in sync. Grow up. Make other friends. Learn to fly. Strengthen their magic. Play Quidditch. Take up arms. Two hearts, always beating on the same rhythm. Laughing together. Living. Loving. And today, they are breaking together.
This is where we looked at each other and smiled. This is where he brushed hands as we walked past each other. This is where I saw him laugh and thought the world was brighter for having that sound in it.
He couldn’t sleep in his crib, because he felt alone and distressed, and so Sirius would climb into it and cuddle Regulus, and sleep in the baby bed instead of his own because he didn’t have the heart to leave Reggie alone.
I’m still your brother, even if I’ll never tell you that.
It’s all I’ve ever wanted to be. Your little brother.
I'm not afraid of you or your darkness. Are you afraid of mine?"
"No," Remus says.
"My darkness has teeth," Sirius whispers, bringing their faces so close together his breath ghosts over Remus' lips.
"And it wants to bite you."
"That's okay," Remus replies, hands digging into Sirius' waist. "I'll bite it back."
Triumph and wicked glee flash over Sirius' eyes before he smashes their mouths together again. "I love you," he says, and Remus swears he feels the entire world tilt and readjust as it falls on its axis. Perfectly balanced, like it was waiting for them two before it could settle.
He finds Sirius first. Always Sirius first.
The last thought James has before losing consciousness as he plummets to the ground is how he wishes the Death Eaters didn’t wear masks. He would have liked to see Regulus’ face one last time.
The blade slides in so cleanly James doesn’t even feel it at first. Regulus knows this because they’re still kissing, tongues curled together. James’ hands are in his hair, tugging a little, and Regulus likes it so much there’s a pang of regret when they fall away.
The healer that Dorcas took James to was surprised to note that the blade didn’t hit any organs. A perfect cut, in and out, drawing blood but causing very little actual damage. She told James he was very lucky. Dorcas knows better.
“I’m not doing anything,” Regulus replies, amused. Then, he drops his eyes to James’ mouth and bites his lower lip.
“Fuck,” James groans. He looks away. Takes a deep breath. They’re so close. So dangerously, deliciously close. “What will your fiancée think, huh?”
“I will, Pads,” he says. “I’ll always find my way back to you.”
Surging forward , Remus steals one last kiss. Searing and bruising. And then he’s running towards the edge of the forest, leaving his heart behind dangling from Sirius’ elegant fingers
“Prove it,” Sirius says sharply. “What was your housewarming gift for me and Remus?”
And Sam giggles. She giggles and then says, “Handcuffs. Muggle handcuffs.”
There’s something in his eyes, in the way they dart to his wife and to her stomach, that makes Regulus get it. Lucius is no longer blindly loyal to Riddle, because he’s now blindly loyal to Narcissa and their son. And that is good information to have, because if push comes to shove, Lucius will choose his family over his Dark Lord. Regulus can work with that.
Always alone.
Always in the shadows.
Regulus misses the sun.
[…] But the inferi are almost on him, and he’s tired, and he hasn’t been able to think about James for so long. Too long. But now the Legacy is dormant and Regulus has access to some of what he’s lost along the way. Memories. So, Regulus gives that to himself. His one gift to the boy he used to be. The boy who loved and laughed and found happiness in a magical room on the seventh floor of Hogwarts.
Only regrets and darkness and the one person who Regulus will always, always, look for in the dead of the night. The brightest star in the sky, guiding him home. His brother. His hero.
Because on those rocks with him—wand in one hand sprouting fire and the sword of Godric Gryffindor in the other—standing over the inferi like a fucking avenging angel, is his brother.
Barty makes a choked sound, steps closer. “Come with us now. Please. Reg, he’ll kill you.”
“He’ll try,” Regulus says wickedly.
Bellatrix is already on James, wrenching him away, but Regulus meets his eye and whispers, “Horrible things.”
Dorcas loves Marlene so much it feels like it doesn’t fit inside her body sometimes.
They smile. It’s cruel and teethy and terrifying. The Black brothers have always been a force to be reckoned with apart. Now, it’s time for the world to see what it looks like when they’re working as a team.
„[…]Do not bother me unless someone is dying, and even then, only if it’s Sirius, Dorcas, Barty, or Remus.”
Regulus Black loves James Potter so much he’s made himself into a weapon and is ready to cut down the world for him.
Lily is a Gryffindor, after all. And love is only for those brave enough to risk it all.
It’s quite a sight, to see the man who has brough the entire Wizarding World to a halt for almost a decade be afraid of an eighteen-year-old.
The villain of James’ nightmares, responsible for mass-murders of muggles and muggle-borns, for torture and fear and a war that’s gone on for too long dies a double death at the hands of the boy who owns James’ heart.
“Regulus,” James calls, stepping closer despite his earlier warning. “I forgive you. You told me about this. You warned me, remember? Horrible things, you said. You’d do horrible things to keep me safe. And you have. But I need you to come back to me now so we can rebuild. Come back to me, Reg.”
She smiles at him. Unafraid and trusting. Like she knows he will come through for her. Like there was never any doubt. “Love me more than you love the darkness, Reg. Please?”
Dumbledore looks downright impressed, eyes glinting behind his glasses as he nods along to Regulus’ voice. “How did you find them?”
“Research, cunning, some liquid luck and help from Myrtle,” Regulus replies casually.
Remus isn’t a poet and he’ll never be one, but when he’s tracing the lines of Sirius’ face with his eyes he thinks of miracles and soulmates and love so strong it could move the heavens.
“Of all the fake fiancées I could have had, you weren’t the worst,” Regulus tells her, lips twitching at the corners.
Regulus sings L’hymne à l’amour against James’ lips. Every word. He sings to him of stealing the moon from the sky. Sings about mornings filled with love. Of hands on his body. Sings of the world ending, and them not caring because they’ve got each other. He sings of problems not mattering if they have each other. Sings, and sings, and sings.
Regulus loves him in French music.
This is what it is like to be loved by Regulus Black. To stand in the storm and watch it rage around you knowing it’ll never touch you. […] To be loved by Regulus Black is to be protected by the wrath of chaos. To be cradled by hands that only know destruction but learn gentleness just for this. Regulus’ love is a shield and James thinks that’s beautiful. He’s so very lucky to be the one who gets to see Regulus like this. Soft and tender and singing in French for him.
“Can you feel it?” James asks him, nodding downwards to indicate his heartbeat. “It’s for you.”
Their wards aren’t particularly strong. If Dorcas moves back in, he’ll have to review them and strengthen them. Just in case.
“No,” Sirius declares, stepping away from James so he has space to throw his arms out. “I now have two—three—loves of my life. You count, too. So, three.”
[Remus, James, the motorbike]
„[…]Oh. Oh. I’m going to have to install a side-car, aren’t I? So I can take them places with the wifey.”
James nods, smiling fondly at his best friend. His brother. The anchor through all the shit they went through. James knows whatever substance souls are made of his and Sirius are the same. Two halves of a full idiot. Always together, even when they’re apart.
“Is Sirius coming?” Regulus asks through a mouthful of smoke.
James gives him a look. “I know better than to try to stop him.”
“Harry’s going to be so embarrassed,” Regulus groans.
Thirty one years old and Sirius is as dramatic as he was at seventeen. He’s sure to do something hysterical, like crying or running alongside the train as it leaves the platform.
RIP Regulus Arcturus Black, you would have loved Reputation by TS 🤭
⚠️SPOILER REVIEW ⚠️
⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️
I wish I could properly express my feelings for this fic, but I love it so much that words fail me. The quote, "If I loved you less, I might talk about it," fits perfectly here—I’m genuinely speechless. This is a masterpiece, and no one can argue otherwise.
Someone once said that this fic is the "All the Young Dudes" of Jegulus, and I can only agree.
I don’t care that this isn’t canon-compliant. For me, it’s absolutely, okay!
This might be my favorite Regulus characterization ever. He was such a mastermind—the way he had a list of people he wanted to hurt or kill, almost all of whom were there because they hurt Sirius in the first place—I am crying. He had his entire "Look What You Made Me Do" moment. Reputation was written for him! He cared so much about Sirius but didn’t reveal it. At first, I thought the brotherly bond wouldn’t be a significant focus in this story. How wrong I was. The angst and love between the Black brothers were done immaculately. It takes time, but everything pays off. Just two words: the Inferi scene... Sirius with the Gryffindor sword 😭.
Regulus's horcrux hunt was better than the canon horcrux hunt by the Golden Trio. I said what I said.
His entire revenge plan was so well thought out. Every little piece fell perfectly into place. Watching the master plan unravel was incredibly satisfying. I just love Regulus with my whole heart. Believe me, a year ago, I never imagined he would become a comfort character for me.
The Moonwater moments in this story were everything I needed. I just love Remus and Regulus enjoying their silence together and their shared sarcasm. They mean so much to me, and no one can understand. The whole espionage plotline was so clever.
The Prongsfoot moments were so perfect, even the small bits we got. I have this scene memorized where James walks into a room, expecting bad news because it’s wartime, and the first person he looks for is Sirius. Always Sirius! How they supported each other throughout the war, especially when separated from their loves, was beautiful.
Now, the best unexpected friendship—Dorcas and Regulus. I never imagined their bond would be so strong before reading this fic. The ultimate friendship was Pandora and Regulus for me, and while I adore them, Dorcas and Regulus are now platonic soulmates in my book. The Unbreakable Vow plotline—and their wedding rings! Gosh, I love them so much. "Love me more than the darkness, Reg"—excuse me, who’s cutting onions?
This fic had the best plot ever. Everything was so well thought out. I loved how Regulus claimed the Black legacy. It’s often unsaid, but these noble pureblood families are essentially more powerful than Tom Riddle/Voldemort because of their assets and powerful heirlooms. Regulus as the Black Lord—I’m on my knees. The war chapters were incredible. Of course, there was a lot of angst, but I could keep reading even when the characters were going through tough times because the plot was so addictive.
Pandora and Lily—my loves. My only complaint with this fic is that this ship didn’t get as much screen time as I would have liked. I would have loved to see more of them. They are so precious to me. Their connection deserved to be explored as much as the other side ships, like Dorlene and Wolfstar.
And Wolfstar... I’m sorry, but I need to talk about them. I love them. They own my heart. Everything about them in this fic was perfect. How they worried about the other seeing their bad parts and not believing they could be loved? And the self-sabotaging before they finally got together? The angst, the slow burn—perfect! Also not Sirius‘ Amortentia smelling like grass and chocolate??
Now, onto Jegulus—ugh. I know many people think Jegulus is nonsense because it doesn’t make sense, and everyone is entitled to their opinion. If you’re a Jily stan, I love you—you are valid. But Jegulus makes sense to me, even in canon. Yes, James has his morals and integrity, but he is foremost a loyalist to the people he loves. Those people don’t have to be good, especially in his teenage years when he falls in love with a boy who is different from everyone else. So why is it unbelievable that he fell in love with Regulus and avoided thinking about him becoming a Death Eater? And when he couldn’t avoid it anymore, he still wanted to be with him because he is loyal, and loyalty can be toxic and harmful, like it was in this case. The scene where James instantly forgives him when he sees the Death Eater mark broke my heart.
And the war chapters... the tension! The dagger scene, the wood scene—you know, you know... 😫. I would die for this ship.
I can’t fully articulate my love for this work of art, so I’ll just list some honorable mentions instead:
Baby Harry—ugh, he is so loved, as he deserves to be. Lily and James being the perfect parents, Pandora and Regulus being the great counterparts, and just loving Harry so much. Sirius being the best godfather with all his dramatics when Harry doesn’t give him as much attention—I love him too much.
Baby Luna—didn’t get much screen time, unfortunately, but Luna and Harry being raised as siblings healed my heart. You don’t understand.
The writing ✍️ 10/10.
The plot ♾️/10.
The romances ♾️/10.
The friend group—the scene of them playing "Would You Rather" was so precious to me, and their parties before the war.
Rosekiller❤️
Wolfstar—yes, this needs to be mentioned again.
The Room of Requirement.
Regulus’s murders—why were they so satisfying?
Elsbeth—she was so funny and a total girlboss. She took advantage of Reg’s wealth, as she should, and got to live with the love of her life in Greece. She was the mastermind after Reg.
Regulus outsmarting Tom Riddle every time.
Regulus and Kreacher—so cute 🥹.
Peter finally getting served justice.
The angst and the healing.
quotes I love!!!! :
The door to the carriage opens and Sirius’ fingers twitch when Remus steps in. James tries to hide the small smile tugging at his lips.
“How was patrol?“ James asks, because Sirius needs a moment to compose himself when Remus enters a room he’s in these days.
Regulus does turn, then. James is glad, because he cannot—and will not—touch but as long as Regulus continues to allow it, James will continue to look because this boy is an absolute gift from the deities.
James’ brain is broken. Like he can’t process all the ways Regulus is beautiful at once, because there are too many.
James cannot, in good conscience, risk Sirius’ hair catching on fire. His friend will survive literal torture—this is fact, it has happened—but not the loss of his hair. Besides, selfishly James knows it’ll hurt him more to watch Sirius get burnt than to burn himself.
His glasses are on the bedside table, so Regulus sees for the first time ever just how big and devastating they are. Brown and golden like the colours that make autumn the warmest, cosiest season.
The glow of the flames is catching on Regulus’ curls. He looks like a god, young, and beautiful, and otherworldly.
Untouchable.
Remus smiles, lifts his arm. Sirius ducks under it immediately. It’s one of his favourite places in the world. Next to Remus. Touching Remus. Remus smells so nice, like chocolate, and the outdoors. Sirius could bottle Remus’ scent and carry it in his pocket. It makes him feel calm. Helps him slow down.
Sirius never thought he’d ever find anyone who could make him want to slow down.
[…] [Remus] got into an absurd fight with Sirius over jumpers again. A fight that was left unresolved because Remus folded the moment Sirius whipped out a bar a chocolate and waved it at him. They then proceeded to curl up on the recently resurrected bed with a book each and read for hours, Sirius’ head resting on Remus’ lap.
Remus who orbits Sirius like a planet does its star.
[it] makes Remus look at Sirius with a fondness James wants to bottle and keep on his nightstand so he can give it to Sirius when he has nightmares.
Sirius is the only person in the world whose silences don’t make James nervous.
“You saved Sirius,” Lupin says. He shrugs. “There’s no price I wouldn’t pay.”
He’s in no hurry, and he’s happy to let her lead the conversation because all James wants to talk about is Regulus, and he can’t, so it’s safest he’s not allowed to lead.
Sirius sits up, throws his head back and laughs. It’s loud, and one of James’ favourite sounds in the world.
James has found religion. It’s all right here. The hymns are Regulus’ soft noises, the ones he tries to hide but can’t and James is committing to memory. The text is the code of the goosebumps over Regulus’ skin when James’ runs his hands over it. The creed? Regulus Black himself. A god crafted from the night sky and made for James to sin. Starlight and darkness made person just for James.
Something happens to him when he’s in the presence of James. Like the walls he’s built to protect himself from the world are no match for the hazel eyes of a boy that doesn’t hesitate to bare his very soul for Regulus to see.
Regulus doesn’t tell him he climbed to the roof alone despite the weather and talked to the star that’s his brother for hours, and James doesn’t tell him that Sirius went to bed so inebriated he asked James why Regulus didn’t love him before he passed out.
Sirius whispers, “Yeah. Okay. I get it.”
“You get what?” James asks, just to be sure.
And Sirius, fucking Sirius Black, looks at his best friend in the whole world and says, “that love is only for the brave.”
James will take anything, any pain, any injury to his own body. But the sight of Sirius bleeding? That always gets to him. It always breaks him.
I loved you enough to take your place.
You were always the one who walked behind me and picked me up when I fell. The shield and the sword. You fought our battles so I didn’t have to. You loved me and it almost killed you.
So, this time, brother, it’ll be the other way around. I’ll keep the secret. Keep the pain. The bones and the blood and the cold. And I’ll get revenge, on you, for you. For us. For the brothers we could have been. For the brothers we’ll never be. You don’t know it, but I love you.
I love you, brother, and that’s what’s going to kill me.
When he dies, James thinks he'll carry on loving Regulus on the other side, wherever that is or whatever it looks like.
Loving Sirius became part of who Remus was. Of who he is. Remus loving Sirius was—is—a truth as simple and unwavering as Remus being tall, or Remus being a werewolf. Some things are just part of who you are, and Remus loves Sirius in a way so raw and overpowering that it’s blended with the lines of his identity.
Regulus loves James with an intensity that could break worlds or remake them.
Sirius’ eyes on him have the ability to make him forget all the reasons he ever hated himself.
The idea that Sirius could ever think that anything he does isn’t sending Remus to outer fucking space is insane. All Sirius needs to do is exist and Remus is already on his knees.
Regulus knew he was bad for James. That he’d ruin him. But he never truly understood just how much until he said that. Until James Potter, hero-extraordinaire, looked a Death Eater in the eye and forgave him without hesitation.
At the end of the day, Regulus always loved Sirius more than he ever loved himself.
Their tears mix and wet the pillow. Neither of them care. They can’t. Their hearts have always done everything in sync. Grow up. Make other friends. Learn to fly. Strengthen their magic. Play Quidditch. Take up arms. Two hearts, always beating on the same rhythm. Laughing together. Living. Loving. And today, they are breaking together.
This is where we looked at each other and smiled. This is where he brushed hands as we walked past each other. This is where I saw him laugh and thought the world was brighter for having that sound in it.
He couldn’t sleep in his crib, because he felt alone and distressed, and so Sirius would climb into it and cuddle Regulus, and sleep in the baby bed instead of his own because he didn’t have the heart to leave Reggie alone.
I’m still your brother, even if I’ll never tell you that.
It’s all I’ve ever wanted to be. Your little brother.
I'm not afraid of you or your darkness. Are you afraid of mine?"
"No," Remus says.
"My darkness has teeth," Sirius whispers, bringing their faces so close together his breath ghosts over Remus' lips.
"And it wants to bite you."
"That's okay," Remus replies, hands digging into Sirius' waist. "I'll bite it back."
Triumph and wicked glee flash over Sirius' eyes before he smashes their mouths together again. "I love you," he says, and Remus swears he feels the entire world tilt and readjust as it falls on its axis. Perfectly balanced, like it was waiting for them two before it could settle.
He finds Sirius first. Always Sirius first.
The last thought James has before losing consciousness as he plummets to the ground is how he wishes the Death Eaters didn’t wear masks. He would have liked to see Regulus’ face one last time.
The blade slides in so cleanly James doesn’t even feel it at first. Regulus knows this because they’re still kissing, tongues curled together. James’ hands are in his hair, tugging a little, and Regulus likes it so much there’s a pang of regret when they fall away.
The healer that Dorcas took James to was surprised to note that the blade didn’t hit any organs. A perfect cut, in and out, drawing blood but causing very little actual damage. She told James he was very lucky. Dorcas knows better.
“I’m not doing anything,” Regulus replies, amused. Then, he drops his eyes to James’ mouth and bites his lower lip.
“Fuck,” James groans. He looks away. Takes a deep breath. They’re so close. So dangerously, deliciously close. “What will your fiancée think, huh?”
“I will, Pads,” he says. “I’ll always find my way back to you.”
Surging forward , Remus steals one last kiss. Searing and bruising. And then he’s running towards the edge of the forest, leaving his heart behind dangling from Sirius’ elegant fingers
“Prove it,” Sirius says sharply. “What was your housewarming gift for me and Remus?”
And Sam giggles. She giggles and then says, “Handcuffs. Muggle handcuffs.”
There’s something in his eyes, in the way they dart to his wife and to her stomach, that makes Regulus get it. Lucius is no longer blindly loyal to Riddle, because he’s now blindly loyal to Narcissa and their son. And that is good information to have, because if push comes to shove, Lucius will choose his family over his Dark Lord. Regulus can work with that.
Always alone.
Always in the shadows.
Regulus misses the sun.
[…] But the inferi are almost on him, and he’s tired, and he hasn’t been able to think about James for so long. Too long. But now the Legacy is dormant and Regulus has access to some of what he’s lost along the way. Memories. So, Regulus gives that to himself. His one gift to the boy he used to be. The boy who loved and laughed and found happiness in a magical room on the seventh floor of Hogwarts.
Only regrets and darkness and the one person who Regulus will always, always, look for in the dead of the night. The brightest star in the sky, guiding him home. His brother. His hero.
Because on those rocks with him—wand in one hand sprouting fire and the sword of Godric Gryffindor in the other—standing over the inferi like a fucking avenging angel, is his brother.
Barty makes a choked sound, steps closer. “Come with us now. Please. Reg, he’ll kill you.”
“He’ll try,” Regulus says wickedly.
Bellatrix is already on James, wrenching him away, but Regulus meets his eye and whispers, “Horrible things.”
Dorcas loves Marlene so much it feels like it doesn’t fit inside her body sometimes.
They smile. It’s cruel and teethy and terrifying. The Black brothers have always been a force to be reckoned with apart. Now, it’s time for the world to see what it looks like when they’re working as a team.
„[…]Do not bother me unless someone is dying, and even then, only if it’s Sirius, Dorcas, Barty, or Remus.”
Regulus Black loves James Potter so much he’s made himself into a weapon and is ready to cut down the world for him.
Lily is a Gryffindor, after all. And love is only for those brave enough to risk it all.
It’s quite a sight, to see the man who has brough the entire Wizarding World to a halt for almost a decade be afraid of an eighteen-year-old.
The villain of James’ nightmares, responsible for mass-murders of muggles and muggle-borns, for torture and fear and a war that’s gone on for too long dies a double death at the hands of the boy who owns James’ heart.
“Regulus,” James calls, stepping closer despite his earlier warning. “I forgive you. You told me about this. You warned me, remember? Horrible things, you said. You’d do horrible things to keep me safe. And you have. But I need you to come back to me now so we can rebuild. Come back to me, Reg.”
She smiles at him. Unafraid and trusting. Like she knows he will come through for her. Like there was never any doubt. “Love me more than you love the darkness, Reg. Please?”
Dumbledore looks downright impressed, eyes glinting behind his glasses as he nods along to Regulus’ voice. “How did you find them?”
“Research, cunning, some liquid luck and help from Myrtle,” Regulus replies casually.
Remus isn’t a poet and he’ll never be one, but when he’s tracing the lines of Sirius’ face with his eyes he thinks of miracles and soulmates and love so strong it could move the heavens.
“Of all the fake fiancées I could have had, you weren’t the worst,” Regulus tells her, lips twitching at the corners.
Regulus sings L’hymne à l’amour against James’ lips. Every word. He sings to him of stealing the moon from the sky. Sings about mornings filled with love. Of hands on his body. Sings of the world ending, and them not caring because they’ve got each other. He sings of problems not mattering if they have each other. Sings, and sings, and sings.
Regulus loves him in French music.
This is what it is like to be loved by Regulus Black. To stand in the storm and watch it rage around you knowing it’ll never touch you. […] To be loved by Regulus Black is to be protected by the wrath of chaos. To be cradled by hands that only know destruction but learn gentleness just for this. Regulus’ love is a shield and James thinks that’s beautiful. He’s so very lucky to be the one who gets to see Regulus like this. Soft and tender and singing in French for him.
“Can you feel it?” James asks him, nodding downwards to indicate his heartbeat. “It’s for you.”
Their wards aren’t particularly strong. If Dorcas moves back in, he’ll have to review them and strengthen them. Just in case.
“No,” Sirius declares, stepping away from James so he has space to throw his arms out. “I now have two—three—loves of my life. You count, too. So, three.”
[Remus, James, the motorbike]
„[…]Oh. Oh. I’m going to have to install a side-car, aren’t I? So I can take them places with the wifey.”
James nods, smiling fondly at his best friend. His brother. The anchor through all the shit they went through. James knows whatever substance souls are made of his and Sirius are the same. Two halves of a full idiot. Always together, even when they’re apart.
“Is Sirius coming?” Regulus asks through a mouthful of smoke.
James gives him a look. “I know better than to try to stop him.”
“Harry’s going to be so embarrassed,” Regulus groans.
Thirty one years old and Sirius is as dramatic as he was at seventeen. He’s sure to do something hysterical, like crying or running alongside the train as it leaves the platform.
April 16, 2024
2024 reread: still in my top 3, always mind blown by the sheer cleverness, the level of emotions, the satisfaction of certain scenes. i can’t recommend this story enough, and i truly think it’s my favorite version of the characters. only for the brave, james. be brave.
"forgive me, he thinks. remember me, he wishes. love me still, he hopes."
i’m so sad to let this story go!!! it was probably one of the best crafted, mastermind plot and most satisfying fic ever. i’ve loved every word of it, the characters and their relationships (that the author made their own completely), the action and darkness and overall hunt were so well thought out? this is the canon i want now. i won’t expect less.
highly recommend (+ the happy ending mended my heart!)
"forgive me, he thinks. remember me, he wishes. love me still, he hopes."
i’m so sad to let this story go!!! it was probably one of the best crafted, mastermind plot and most satisfying fic ever. i’ve loved every word of it, the characters and their relationships (that the author made their own completely), the action and darkness and overall hunt were so well thought out? this is the canon i want now. i won’t expect less.
highly recommend (+ the happy ending mended my heart!)
July 10, 2024
I am telling you, that this story TOOK OVER MY LIFE, MY EXISTENCE, made me scream and cry and laugh and swoon and be in a CONSTANT STATE OF EMOTIONS, and is to date the most HEART POUNDING piece of literature I have EVER had the pleasure of consuming (and that's saying a lot, trust me)
I LOVE THIS BOOK EVEN MOTE THAN BATMAN, BLACK NAILPOLISH, MARSBARS AND PIRATES
If there was one single opinion of mine that I would go down defending to my very grave, it's this: There are not two characters in the world of fiction, that just make more sense together, than James and Regulus do. They found each other in the crazy, wild, chaos-ridden world, and even the stars breathed a sigh of relief at their meeting. They are the two characters who I swear, would have loved each other in every universe.
"Love is only for the brave."
I LOVE THIS BOOK EVEN MOTE THAN BATMAN, BLACK NAILPOLISH, MARSBARS AND PIRATES
If there was one single opinion of mine that I would go down defending to my very grave, it's this: There are not two characters in the world of fiction, that just make more sense together, than James and Regulus do. They found each other in the crazy, wild, chaos-ridden world, and even the stars breathed a sigh of relief at their meeting. They are the two characters who I swear, would have loved each other in every universe.
"Love is only for the brave."
May 20, 2025
forever my roman empire.
i don't read a lot of war time canon fics because they hurt too much but this was worth every cry. amazing characterization, plot and portrayal of devotion to each other. i sobbed from angst and then from sheer relief. i'm so so glad i decided to read despite the scary word count (645k words!!!). james and regulus being so obsessed with each other through the horrors of the war and always finding their way back?? i'm sick!!!! this is my new canon i don't care about anything else.
i don't read a lot of war time canon fics because they hurt too much but this was worth every cry. amazing characterization, plot and portrayal of devotion to each other. i sobbed from angst and then from sheer relief. i'm so so glad i decided to read despite the scary word count (645k words!!!). james and regulus being so obsessed with each other through the horrors of the war and always finding their way back?? i'm sick!!!! this is my new canon i don't care about anything else.
August 2, 2024
i found this on goodreads so i had to log it. i'm past the point of embarrassment on here tbh. this was so good like sorryyyyy i ate it up. it was also 1500 pages so it counts as a book.
**i lied i'm a little embarrassed please don't look at the cover picture😭😭😭😭
**i lied i'm a little embarrassed please don't look at the cover picture😭😭😭😭
June 15, 2023
This is my canon from now on. PERFECT. The angst, the love, the friendship and trauma's. It's heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. I loved this so much.
June 9, 2024
finally an ending that hasn’t left me empty!!!
beautiful, amazing, certain this is cannon.
beautiful, amazing, certain this is cannon.
February 16, 2024
I am telling you that this story that I read this past week TOOK OVER MY LIFE, MY EXISTENCE, made me scream and cry and laugh and swoon and be in a CONSTANT STATE OF HIGH, and is to date the most HEART POUNDING piece of literature I have EVER had the pleasure of consuming (and that's saying a lot, trust me.)
I LOVE THIS BOOK WITH ALL OF MY HEART.
If there was one single opinion of mine that I would go down defending to my very grave, it's this- There are no two characters in the world of fiction that just make sense together as much as James and Regulus do. They are the two characters who I swear would have loved each other so much that I believe that theirs would have been the one love story truly written in the stars.
And to think that they weren't canon-
I don’t think I can ever process how ridiculous that fact is.
Hence, my solution. While I do love Harry Potter, for me, when it comes to the Marauders plotline, THIS STORY WILL ALWAYS BE CANON.
Every other story I read about them, including the HP books, is fan fiction.
And that is how much I love this book.
I LOVE THIS BOOK WITH ALL OF MY HEART.
If there was one single opinion of mine that I would go down defending to my very grave, it's this- There are no two characters in the world of fiction that just make sense together as much as James and Regulus do. They are the two characters who I swear would have loved each other so much that I believe that theirs would have been the one love story truly written in the stars.
And to think that they weren't canon-
I don’t think I can ever process how ridiculous that fact is.
Hence, my solution. While I do love Harry Potter, for me, when it comes to the Marauders plotline, THIS STORY WILL ALWAYS BE CANON.
Every other story I read about them, including the HP books, is fan fiction.
And that is how much I love this book.
January 9, 2024
i will never recover
April 8, 2024
We love an absolutely unhinged Regulus Black in this household
April 29, 2025
I love this fic with my entire heart and it has easily become my favorite. So many tears were shed but I would choose to do it all over again if I could. If I were to lose my memory the first thing that I would do is reread this.
James and Regulus' love for each other in this is just something else. It is so heartbreaking and all consuming, and just so so so perfect.
I loved the pacing and being able to learn more about the characters and watch the story unfold the more that it went on.
Some of my favorite quotes! (possibly some spoilers so be careful!):
“He loves him. Despite everything. There’s a mark on his arm in the place where James used to draw a star and it should make James hate Regulus, but it doesn’t. It doesn’t.”
“Regulus knew he was bad for James. That he’d ruin him. But he never truly understood just how much until he said that. Until James Potter, hero-extraordinaire, looked a Death Eater in the eye and forgave him without hesitation.”
“James chooses Regulus because he loves him and that. That is the one thing that matters to James more than the rest.”
“When he dies, James thinks he’ll carry on loving Regulus on the other side, wherever that is or whatever it looks like.”
“Standing in front of James is looking directly at the sun and being grateful for the burn.”
“Regulus loves him in French music.”
James and Regulus' love for each other in this is just something else. It is so heartbreaking and all consuming, and just so so so perfect.
I loved the pacing and being able to learn more about the characters and watch the story unfold the more that it went on.
Some of my favorite quotes! (possibly some spoilers so be careful!):
“He loves him. Despite everything. There’s a mark on his arm in the place where James used to draw a star and it should make James hate Regulus, but it doesn’t. It doesn’t.”
“Regulus knew he was bad for James. That he’d ruin him. But he never truly understood just how much until he said that. Until James Potter, hero-extraordinaire, looked a Death Eater in the eye and forgave him without hesitation.”
“James chooses Regulus because he loves him and that. That is the one thing that matters to James more than the rest.”
“When he dies, James thinks he’ll carry on loving Regulus on the other side, wherever that is or whatever it looks like.”
“Standing in front of James is looking directly at the sun and being grateful for the burn.”
“Regulus loves him in French music.”
March 9, 2024
james potter 🛐🛐🛐
February 12, 2025
Це було НЕЙМОВІРНО, боже, мені не хватило 3000 сторінок!!!! Я думала, що коли вони випустяться, то це буде нудно, але це стало ще цікавіше. Омійбоже, ви бачили Регулуса? А Джеймса? 🙏🏻
June 2, 2023
Best jegulus I’ve read tied with crimson rivers. Regulus was just so good, they all were. I just loved it. When there at school, when they are at war (especially when there at war) and after the war.
Best moments from the top of my head in:
Regulus turning up to the ministry with Voldemort MASK OF and everyone being scared because he’s scary and powerful - I also just loved how regulus was Voldemorts right hand man it just made him so better to me.
Regulus stabbing James - James secretly loving it and stroking the scar
Barty and Evan loving Remus - Remus is just everything in this, he doesn’t even try to be cool or sexy he just is and everyone agrees
Regulus and Dorcas speaking through the rings - they just love each other so much and Dorcas would do anything for him and the same in return
Now the only part I was upset about and nearly cried about was James and Lily sleeping together resulting them being pregnant. The reason being is that, and I don’t know why but it felt like James was cheating emotionally and physically 😭😭 I know this is NOT the case but I felt so sad for regulus because he didn’t even look at anyone else. When Harry was born I didn’t feel sad anymore because it felt normal and not weird and James just adores Regulus so it was fine.
I guess it felt like the accidental pregnancy trope and it hurt my heart because it wasn’t even with the main couple 😭 but again it was done well and Regulus loves Harry so it’s fine. Also I loved when Barty took care of Lily and loved Harry just as much.
Best moments from the top of my head in:
Regulus turning up to the ministry with Voldemort MASK OF and everyone being scared because he’s scary and powerful - I also just loved how regulus was Voldemorts right hand man it just made him so better to me.
Regulus stabbing James - James secretly loving it and stroking the scar
Barty and Evan loving Remus - Remus is just everything in this, he doesn’t even try to be cool or sexy he just is and everyone agrees
Regulus and Dorcas speaking through the rings - they just love each other so much and Dorcas would do anything for him and the same in return
Now the only part I was upset about and nearly cried about was James and Lily sleeping together resulting them being pregnant. The reason being is that, and I don’t know why but it felt like James was cheating emotionally and physically 😭😭 I know this is NOT the case but I felt so sad for regulus because he didn’t even look at anyone else. When Harry was born I didn’t feel sad anymore because it felt normal and not weird and James just adores Regulus so it was fine.
I guess it felt like the accidental pregnancy trope and it hurt my heart because it wasn’t even with the main couple 😭 but again it was done well and Regulus loves Harry so it’s fine. Also I loved when Barty took care of Lily and loved Harry just as much.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 24, 2025
hola esto es un antes y después en mi vida ES EL NUEVO CANON.
su historia de amor debería incluirse en los libros de historia DESDE SU PRIMER ENCUENTRO EN ESE AÑO SIKQKRKQR HASTA TU PRIMER BESO AKFNAKDJ y todo lo que pasaron realmente es HORRIBLE me hizo sufrir como nadie pero valió totalmente la pena COMO SE AMABAN james james JAMES todo lo lindo que le decia chau
la amistad de sirius y james es lo mejor q me pasó Y LA RELACION DE SIRIUS CON REG <3 Y HARRY :((( harry te amo esta es la infancia q merecias
y LO MEJOR siempre seran reg y remus les hare mil altares y monumentos REG SALVANDO A REMUS,
REMUS PEGANDOLE A PETER, REG LEYENDOLE LA MENTE A TOM, REMUS CANTANDO, REG GANANDOLE A VOLVEMORT, REMUS CONTROLANDO A OCHENTA LOBOS, REG PROTEGIENDO A TODOS SIENDO EL MAS PODEROSO DEL UNIVERSO y podría seguir.
reg siendo re gay por james tenes mi corazon SU CASITA Y CUANDO LE DIJO I LOVE YOU Y SUS MANERAS DE DEMOSTRARLO
su historia de amor debería incluirse en los libros de historia DESDE SU PRIMER ENCUENTRO EN ESE AÑO SIKQKRKQR HASTA TU PRIMER BESO AKFNAKDJ y todo lo que pasaron realmente es HORRIBLE me hizo sufrir como nadie pero valió totalmente la pena COMO SE AMABAN james james JAMES todo lo lindo que le decia chau
la amistad de sirius y james es lo mejor q me pasó Y LA RELACION DE SIRIUS CON REG <3 Y HARRY :((( harry te amo esta es la infancia q merecias
y LO MEJOR siempre seran reg y remus les hare mil altares y monumentos REG SALVANDO A REMUS,
REMUS PEGANDOLE A PETER, REG LEYENDOLE LA MENTE A TOM, REMUS CANTANDO, REG GANANDOLE A VOLVEMORT, REMUS CONTROLANDO A OCHENTA LOBOS, REG PROTEGIENDO A TODOS SIENDO EL MAS PODEROSO DEL UNIVERSO y podría seguir.
reg siendo re gay por james tenes mi corazon SU CASITA Y CUANDO LE DIJO I LOVE YOU Y SUS MANERAS DE DEMOSTRARLO
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 9, 2024
Edit: I'm not rereading the whole fic i swear... i just really wanted jegulus and I can't stop thinking about this fic. Like, I know i always say how good the war chapters are but like i forgot how good the school chapters are too 🥰
This might be the best jegulus fic I've ever read... I somehow managed to read it in 6 days, granted i did literally nothing else the entire time because i was hooked. Seriously, give it a try, it's worth it.
This might be the best jegulus fic I've ever read... I somehow managed to read it in 6 days, granted i did literally nothing else the entire time because i was hooked. Seriously, give it a try, it's worth it.
December 15, 2023
if the entire fic tried to be as good as its ending perhaps it could’ve earned more stars. one star for regulus and sirius black for carrying the fic and my sanity on their backs, one star for remus lupin and dorcas meadows for being the only braincells in their unhinged group, and an extra star for that ending! I LOVE HAPPY ENDINGS. ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY MAKE ME CRY.
March 13, 2025
is this a fanfiction? yes. am i counting it towards my reading goal? also yes.
this bitch took me 2 weeks and 1500 pages. it was a journey.
I could only read marauders fanfiction for the rest of my life and i’d be happy.
I am the biggest jegulus fan and this is by far my favourite characterisation of them. Regulus in particular.
this bitch took me 2 weeks and 1500 pages. it was a journey.
I could only read marauders fanfiction for the rest of my life and i’d be happy.
I am the biggest jegulus fan and this is by far my favourite characterisation of them. Regulus in particular.
August 19, 2023
this is the most profound piece of literature ever written
Read
January 30, 2025reread: I JUST LOVE THEM SM
HAPPY JEGULUS DAY
HAPPY JEGULUS DAY
October 4, 2023
holy motherfucking shit
December 14, 2024
la mejor obra de la literatura que leí en mucho tiempo. creo que todo el mundo debería leer esto. es canon. argue with the wall.
April 18, 2024
dnf i ignored "he's the hottest idiot to ever idiot" bc i thought it would get better after a while but "everyone and their mother is here" was my final straw
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